FitGirl: Indoor cycling kicks into high gear

By Joy Sewing |
November 21, 2013
| Updated: November 22, 2013 6:52pm

Josh Graye, from left, and Jared Bleiler, both of Cypress and co-owners of Rydenow Indoor Cycling in The Woodlands, take a ride on The Realryder with their class instructor, Robin Wallace, of The Woodlands.

Photo By Jerry Baker/Freelance

RealRyder, located in The Woodlands, brings a different spin on indoor cycling.

Photo By Jerry Baker/Freelance

Josh Graye, from left, and Jared Bleiler, both of Cypress and co-owners of Rydenow Indoor Cycling in The Woodlands, take a ride on The Realryder with their class instructor, Robin Wallace, of The Woodlands.

Photo By Jerry Baker/Freelance

Josh Graye, from left, and Jared Bleiler, both of Cypress and co-owners of Rydenow Indoor Cycling in The Woodlands, take a ride on The Realryder with their class instructor, Robin Wallace, of The Woodlands.

Photo By Jerry Baker/Freelance

Josh Graye, from left, and Jared Bleiler, both of Cypress and co-owners of Rydenow Indoor Cycling in The Woodlands, take a ride on The Realryder with their class instructor, Robin Wallace, of The Woodlands.

Photo By Jerry Baker/Freelance

Josh Graye, from left, and Jared Bleiler, both of Cypress and co-owners of Rydenow Indoor Cycling in The Woodlands, take a ride on The Realryder with their class instructor, Robin Wallace, of The Woodlands.

The workout: Say you've tried a fast-paced indoorcycling class and gotten a pretty good workout. Prepare to have your exercise routine kicked into super-high gear at RydeNow, the first Houston-area studio offering classes on the RealRyder bikes that tilt, lean and turn.

It's unlike any other indoor-cycling workout or even any indoor fitness class I've ever experienced. My 45-minute session was intense and felt much like I was riding outdoors, uphill against the wind, on a road bike.

And that's the point. Because RealRyder bikes move, they work abdominal muscles, legs and arms, and the workout is harder than traditional indoor cycling classes.

I found that being coordinated helps, given that you're pedaling to fast-paced music in a group setting with an energized instructor.

The experts: RydeNow's co-owners and fitness trainers Jared Bleiler and Josh Graye opened the studio in early 2013 after Graye learned about the RealRyder bikes from a relative who tried them in Michigan.

"We have all fitness levels from someone training for an Iron Man competition to a 75-year-old who's had reconstructive knee surgery. They find it's less pressure on their joints," Graye said.

Fitness level: Open to beginners but also a challenge for triathletes and cyclists. It's recommended once a week at first, even if you have indoor-cycling experience.

Gear:Cycling shorts (with extra padding in the bottom are recommended, along with a dry-fit shirt that wicks away sweat; wear regular athletic shoes or cycling shoes with clip-in cleats. Also, don't forget a water bottle and towel.

Price: $19 per class or $129 a month for unlimited classes; class packages also are available. (Re servations are advised.)

(Note: Indoor cycling is a high-intensity workout not recommended for people with heart conditions or women who are pregnant. Consult your physician before beginning any exercise program.)

FITGIRL SHOUT-OUT: If you know of a fun, new fitness class or workout studio in the Houston area, email FitGirl at joy.sewing@chron.com.